Double Dribble Clarification.
 

Let me preface this by saying I am not an official or referee. I just play in a pickup 5-on-5 basketball league, and there was a contentious call at the end of the game.

The opposing player has his dribble alive. He jab steps right, spreads his legs a bit too far while keeping his left pivot foot firmly planted. He then regains his balance by touching the ball on the floor with both hands firmly grasped on the ball, without bouncing it. Does that constitute a dribble? I ask because he was called for a double dribble by the referee after driving to the basket.

They have referees for pick up basketball?

Here's what I visualize:

So, the dribble has started.

Sounds to me like the dribble ended, as he held the ball.

So, he started another dribble. Violation.

FYI, you mentioned a pivot foot during a dribble. If one is dribbling, there is no
pivot foot until the dribble has ended.

No, that does not constitute a dribble. In fact, the player could repeat what he did as many times as he wanted (sans other types of violation). This is true under NFHS (high school), NCAA, and NBA rules.

Are you sure? What provision of the dribble rule says he started a dribble by holding the ball and then (while still holding it) touched it to the floor?

Bainsey, I took it to mean that the player hadn't dribbled yet. If he had dribbled, then I agree that the player grabbing the ball with both hands ended the dribble. As soon as he dribbled again, we'd have an illegal/double dribble violation.

Visualize again. The OP means "the player has not yet dribbled."

I took it to mean he started another dribble upon saying....

Granted, not all drives require dribbling, but that's what I visualized here via context.

Yeah, we pay for the court and the ref for a two-hour allotment.


I should have worded "dribble alive," as in he can still dribble or has not started his dribble. He received the pass, jab stepped right twice, using the left foot as a pivot. The second jab step caused him to spread his legs too wide, so while holding the ball with both hands, he used the ball to touch the floor and balance himself without bouncing the ball. He then drove to the hoop. He was subsequently called for double dribble.

Link to Article
4.15 COMMENT:

It is not possible for a player to travel during a dribble. A player is not dribbling while slapping the ball during a jump, when a pass rebounds from his/her hand, when he/she fumbles, or when he/she bats a rebound or pass away from other players who are attempting to get it. The player is not in control under these conditions. It is a dribble when a player stands still and bounces the ball. It is not a dribble when a player stands still and holds the ball and touches it to the floor once or more than once.

Thanks. This more than clarifies the issue. We ended up winning the game b/c of the call. If I see the ref next week, I will mention this forum :)

You've broken forum etiquette. :eek:

Never ask about a questionable call from which you or your team benefitted.

No problem, sir. I was apparently the only one who didn't comprehend that. My apologies for any mix-up.

Never believe this. You played a lot more than this one play, and a winner is always determined via the sum of the entire game.

When did this ever happen before? The vast majority don't notice/remember bad calls in their favor.